Australian cricket legend Adam Gilchrist has on Monday (November 16) opined that Will Pucovski won't make it to the playing XI for the opening Test of the upcoming four-match Test series against India starting from December 17 on at Adelaide, which will be a Day-Night affair.
Gilchrist believes that Australia will continue with the tried and tested combination of Joe Burns and David Warner at the top of the order against India, saying Tim Paine and selector will be reluctant to break the string partnership without really strong reason despite Pucovski's rising credentials.
Gilchrist told foxsports.com.au: “It's only my opinion, but I detect that the selectors and the team really enjoy the partnership of Joe Burns and David Warner.”
The former wicketkeeper-batsman added, “There is a fair bit of that strong reason in the case of Pucovski. (But) They'll be reluctant to break that (a partnership of Warner and Burns) up without really strong reason. They feel they complement each other and they have a yin and yang partnership.”
However, the legendary wicketkeeper has also pointed out that Burns hasn't been able to have a personal tally of big scores, averaging 11.4 with only one score above 20, but feels the team and selectors value his partnership with Warner.
With many former cricketers called for Pucovski's inclusion in Australia Test XI against India, the chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns and coach Justin Langer both have indicated Burns is unlikely to be left out and Gilchrist said the final call regarding the same depends on the Australia A vs India game.
Gilchrist signed off by saying, “... it could very much weigh on that Australia A game and what comes of that. Should he (Burns) miss out there and Pucovski nails another big one, the pressure may then be on to make the change.”
